Maurice Edu seemed like a good signing when Stoke City took the U.S. international off Glasgow Rangers’ books this summer. The 26-year-old midfielder called his Premier League switch a dream move, but to this point, the former number one Major League Soccer SuperDraft pick has failed to make an impact on Trent. With only one (substitute’s) appearance in league thus far, the move is starting to look like a step backwards, especially after the 26-year-old midfielder was left out of the Tony Pulis’s 18 for today’s match against Sunderland.

That decision was made despite Stoke starting three central midfielders. That means not only did Edu fail to beat out Charlie Adam, Steve N’Zonzi, and Dean Whitehead, he also couldn’t get onto the bench ahead of Wilson Palacios. True, the versatility of fullbacks Geoff Cameron and Marc Wilson means Pulis doesn’t have to carry many midfielders on the bench, but the bottom line remains the same. Edu is losing time to players he has the potential to beat out.

Choosing Charlie Adam is understandable, particularly considering how Pulis likes to play. Somebody who can hit a good long ball out of his own end may prove particularly valuable for Stoke. Steve N’Zonzi was underrated at Blackburn and does a pretty good impression of Maroune Fellaini (the defensive midfielder version). There’s no shame in losing out to a player who could find time at most clubs.

Dean Whitehead, however, is the concern. Whitehead’s a reliable but limited player, the exact type of midfielder Stoke should be looking to supplant. If you were highlighting places the team needs to improve, it’s on players like Whitehead – the type of dependable but unspectacular contributor that dooms Stoke to playing the style (and getting the results) they do. Lineup all the midfielders from the Championship and skip a rock across their domes and you’ll hit seven Dean Whiteheads before that pebble falls to ground.

It seemed like Edu was bought to transcend those limitations. Edu can be a more athletic, wider ranging, box-to-box option than Whitehead. When sitting on a leda, he can assume the destroyer’s role into which he’s so often pigeon-holed. Late in matches, Edu can serve as a third central defender. In theory, there’s no reason Edu shouldn’t be playing ahead of Dean Whitehead.

But until he can earn time on the field, this theory remains and untested hypothesis, part of a troubling second half of 2012 for the former Maryland standout. The downturn at Rangers forced him to move from Glasgow, while a bad second half foul conceded the U.S.’s qualifier in Kingston has seen him lose time with the national team. Unable to break into Tony Pulis’s gameday squad, it’s unclear when Edu will rebound.

If his time at Rangers is any indication, Edu will rebound. During his initial seasons in Glasgow, injuries kept the former Toronto FC star from making an impact. Eventually, Edu grew into one of the Gers’ most reliable options in the middle. Though his downturn at Stoke isn’t caused by injury, the same determination may be needed to claim a spot.

With FA and League Cup fixtures set to pile up in winter, Edu’s bound to get some chance, even if it’s only off the bench. All he has to do is impress.

With the first section labelled “basically, free money” for the picks I think are dead certs. The section labelled “don’t touch this” means if you’re betting I advise you to stay clear, while the “so you’re telling me there’s a chance” section are the longshots. If it is better odds you are after, those are the picks to go for.

Watford host Everton on Saturday (7:30 a.m. ET live NBCSN and online via NBC Sports.com) at Vicarage Road to kick things off with both teams out of form and desperate for a win.

Then Arsenal welcome Stoke City to the Emirates Stadium (10 a.m. ET live NBCSN andonline via NBC Sports.com) as Arsene Wenger‘s side look to stretch their unbeaten run to 14 games in the Premier League against a resurgent Potters outfit.

As the same time struggling Swansea City and Sunderland clash (10 a.m. ET live CNBC and online via NBC Sports.com) in a massive relegation battle at the Liberty Stadium. Can Bob Bradley get a big win?

Rounding things off on Saturday we have a big game for two teams in contrasting situations as Leicester City host Manchester City (12:30 p.m. ET live NBC and online via NBC Sports.com) at the King Power Stadium with Claudio Ranieri‘s side in a relegation battle. As for Pep Guardiola and City, they haven’t had it all their own way recently but are just four points off top spot.

On Sunday league-leader Chelsea host West Brom (7 a.m. ET live NBCSN and online via NBC Sports.com) with Antonio Conte‘s boys aiming to make it eight-straight wins in the Premier League but the in-form Baggies stand in the way. Then Manchester United and Tottenham collide at Old Trafford (9:15 a.m. ET live on NBCSN and online via NBC Sports.com) in one of the games of the weekend as both teams still harbor title aspirations but look more likely to simply challenge for the top four this season.

To round Week 15 off Liverpool welcome struggling West Ham to Anfield (11:30 a.m. ET live NBCSN and online via NBC Sports.com) with Jurgen Klopp‘s men aiming to get over their shocking defeat at Bournemouth, while Slaven Bilic‘s Hammers will take anything they can get from this trip.

If you’re looking for full-event replays of Premier League games, you can find them here. They are available soon after the final whistle, but rights limit us to a certain number each week. Looking for game highlights? Try this. Here’s your full TV schedule for the coming days. Enjoy.